Welcome to Paris Independent Schools

"Success ~ One By One"

Welcome to our website!
One of our top priorities is active communication with parents and our community. This website was designed to be a user-friendly communication tool. We hope you will find the design aesthetically pleasing and the content current and informative. Please access the site often for current news, important announcements, student photos, school forms and class information. We welcome your feedback! Snow ProtocolWinter is approaching which means snow could be on the way. In the event of bad weather, the District will make a decision for school by 8:00pm the night before if able, or it will come at 5am the morning of. We will post the decision on the local TV stations, this website, and Facebook once a decision has been made. Detailed schedules for a delay are available on each schools webpage.
Project Based Learning

Each school participated in projects ranging in themes. Projects were put on display for families to come view. There will be more information and pictures about Project Based Learning in the Bourbon County Citizen.

Santa Visits

Santa made stops at the Elementary for pictures with students, and rode in on his sleigh for the Christmas parade. Several student groups participated in the parade.

Student Assembly

High School students were able to take part in the assembly entitled "Say Something." Students were made aware of certain dangers with drugs and sexual abuse and encouraged to step up and speak when seeing something out of the ordinary. Following the presentation students took a pledge and signed up to make a difference.

"150 Year" Exhibit Honored

Historic Paris/Bourbon County Hopewell Museum was honored at the AnnualKentucky History Awards in Frankfort. The Museum was recognized for the 2015 exhibit entitled “Paris City Schools: 150 years of Academic Excellence." Click Herefor the full story.

Transportation Staff Honored

Pictured left to right is Ken Bicknell(Superintendent), Rebecca Craycraft (Bus Monitor), Travis Campbell(Transportation Director) & Barry Barnes(Bus Driver). On October 26th a bus had a heater short out and possibly caught fire. The bus started filling with smoke and banking down. Mr. Barnes pulled over immediately and he and Rebecca started the evacuation process. They evacuated 7 kids off the bus safely and walked them across the street to the school with the help of a pre-school assistant and her son. Parents were contacted by the transportation director and informed that everyone was safe.

Veterans Day Programs

Each of our school's invited Veterans for a meal and programto honor them. You can visit each school's page for more pictures from the day.

New Term for Board MembersCongratulations and Thank you to Sharon Fields and Collier Mathes for
your willingness to continue serving the Paris Independent School District as Board
Members. The district appreciates all the hard work and support that you, and our Board
Members show to all our kids, educators, and support staff. We are a
community for our kids!
Superintendent Speaks

Superintendent Ken Bicknell hosted the public to discuss the Vision, Mission, Progress and Pride of Paris Independent Schools as the district moves forward toward an exciting future of excellence. The meeting began with a welcome and an overview of the core values and beliefs of Paris Independent Schools, and how thosevalues are the foundation forprogress and the pursuit of excellence in our school district.

Paris Elementary Starts New Anti-Bullying Program

PES Principal Rachelle Schjoll welcomed the Harlem Ambassadors to Paris. The school is starting a new Anti-Bullying Program that will involve a message for students once a week. The Ambassadors entertained the audience by showing off their basketball skills and discussing their experience with bullies. For more pictures and information on the program please visit the District or Elementary Facebook Page.

Students Complete Community Service

SophomoreJackson Livingood leadsseveral of his football teammatesand members of the First Christian Churchto the Hope Center in Lexington. To read the full story Click Here.

Red Ribbon Week

Each school in the District will participate in Red Ribbon Week. Middle and High School students will listen to a speaker about drug and alcohol abuse as well as participate in a Ghost Day to show the dangers involved.

Safe School Week

The week of October 17-21 was proclaimed as Safe Schools Weekto promote anti-bullying. Mr. Bicknell is shown in top photo with Elementary Principal Rachelle Schjoll addressing the students on the issues of bullying. He later addressed the middle school students and then signed the proclamation.

Fall Break Training

Wednesday was the startof fall break for students, but teachers still gathered in the library for breakfast and training. Superintendent Ken Bicknell welcomed everyone and Academic Officer Patrice Thompson laid out plans for the district.

Paris Independent Endorses Kentucky Safe Schools WeekSuperintendent Ken Bicknell officially proclaimed October 16-22, as safe schools week. This year's theme is "Be the Hero, Stop the Bullying" which focuses on everyday heroes, their roles in our lives and how each one of us need to step up and Be the Hero when opportunities arise both in school and life. Honor, Encourage, Respect, Opportunity. These are the words that will be used to empower students to choose to be the Hero. Being a Hero isn't just a label for a time, it's an attitude and a code to live by. During this week, all Kentuckians will be urged to improve the safety of our schools by educating students, staff and community members about conflict resolution, bullying prevention and relationship building. The KY Center for School Safety is partnering with schools to provide an online reporting tool called the STOP Tipline. Anyone may anonymously pass information to school personnel using the following website:www.kycss.org/stop/resources.phpParis will have a theme each day of the week. Click here for more information.
Homecoming Week

Congratulations to Lizzie Preston, 2016 Homecoming Queen. She was crowned at the football game and is pictured here with the Senior Court (back row) and representatives from the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Classes. There were events and activities all week including dress themes for each day, a PowderPuff game, demo car, and a dance. To view pictures from Homecoming you can visit our Paris Middle & High School Facebook page, or the Paris Independent page.

Test Scores ReleasedThe 2016 Kentucky State Assessment scores were released this week, and Paris Independent was labeled a Proficient District. Each of our schools in the district saw growth in student achievement, with the greatest improvement coming from Paris Elementary. To read the full story click here. We are so proud of our students and teachers for all their hard work.

The Elementary celebrated their success with their students! Teachers sang and they hung banners throughout the school. You can view more of their photos on the Paris Elementary School Facebook Page

Want Pie?

Superintendent Ken Bicknell and Dean of Students Stephen McCauley learned the hard way to not doubt the Elementary students when it comes to fundraising. Because the students doubled their goal of selling doughnuts, the guys agreed to let a student throw a pie in their face!

Join the Excellence

Paris Independent is currently seeking outstanding substitute teachers.Paris is looking to employ friendly, hardworking individuals who want to become a part of the school family! Anyone with over 64 college credit hours can apply! Pay rate begins at $75 per day, and increases to $85 if you have a degree, and $100 for a teaching certificate!

Candidates will need to be available on short notice and also pass a background check. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call central office at 987-2160 for more information, or you can fill out an application online at: https://paris.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

We look forward to hearing from you!

Recipe For Life

The Bourbon County Homemakers sponsored the event titled "Recipe for Life" for 5th graders in the community. Several of our high school seniors also volunteered. The event was held at the First Christian Church and it was to teach our youth about food and kitchen safety. The students also learned about measuring and math. Each table was then able to create their own recipe.

Semester in Full Swing

From the Book-Fair to learning about Chromebooks, the 2016-2017 school year is off to a fast start! We have clubs starting, celebrations happening, and our athletic teams are battling! Stay up to date with all Paris News by reading our weekly page in the Bourbon County Citizen, or follow us on our Facebook pages!

Superintendent Ken Bicknell had the pleasure of welcoming Governor Matt Bevin to Paris! The Governor came to view the new Athletic Training Facility and was able to meet several members of the communityalong with several football players and staff.

Welcome Back Students

Paris Middle and High School students were welcomed back in a BIG way! The faculty and staff surprised them with a Flash Mob, dancing to "Don't Stop Believin'."

Town Hall MeetingChief Rob Williams and the Paris Police Department have released a statement about the next town hall meeting. It will be held in our Fine Arts Center on August 23rd. Please plan on coming to this event! Click here for the official press release.
Opening Day Luncheon

All Paris teachers and staff gathered in the cafeteria for the official welcoming and opening day celebration. There were several awards given out, and Mr. Bicknell recognized the new teachers in the district, as well as our retired teachers. There were also other speakers from within the district to pass along information. You can see more pictures on the district Facebook page, as well as in the Bourbon County Citizen in the next few weeks.

Superintendent Welcomes All Teachers

Day 2 of training continues with Deeper Learning for all Paris Teachers. Mr. Bicknell opened the morning by welcoming everyone and encouraging creative thinking.

Teachers in Training

Elementary Teachers in top photo are being trained by Lisa King in Guided Reading and Writing.
Pictured below are middle and high school teachers listening to principal Jami Dailey during professional learning.

Open Letter from the PrincipalParents of Middle and High School students will be receiving a welcome letter from Mrs. Dailey. To view the letter now, Click Here.

Elementary Teachers Take to the Streets

Several PES staff members packed up and pulled their little red wagons around town last week. They went to visit students at several apartment complexes, daycares, and the YMCA and passed out books, popsicles, and toothbrushes.

Back to School Events
Mark your calendars! Open House for Paris Middle and High School will be Monday, August 15th at 6:00, followed by the Big Orange Preview at 7:00! Paris Elementary will host their back to school night on Tuesday, August 16th, from 5:30-7:00.

New Dress Code Approved
On June 30, 2016 the Paris City School Board approved a new student dress code for the 2016-2017 school year! To view the new dress code click here.

Paris Holds Commencement Exercises

Paris High School held its 119th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 26, 2016 graduating 44 seniors. The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Megan May, Paris High School Class of 1993. Dr. May currently serves as an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

Paris Announces New Superintendent

Please join Paris Schools in welcoming our new Superintendent, Ken Bicknell. Mr. Bicknell is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (middle school science and English). He also has Masters of Arts degrees in School Guidance Counseling and School Administration. He is currently serving as an Educational Recovery Leader for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Mr. Bicknell is in his twenty- fourth year of education. Click here to read Mr. Bicknell's complete biography.

Paris High School Announces New Girls' Basketball Coach

Paris High School is excited to announce the selection of Aaron Speakes as the
girls’ basketball coach. Mr. Speakes has served as the Paris girls’ middle school
head coach, assistant for Coach Cary Barr, assistant to Coach Terence Brooks, and
as an AAU coach for the Central Kentucky Storm. Click here for the complete story.

"Helping Hounds" Volunteer Program is Great Success

With twenty-seven community volunteers making a commitment to Paris Elementary students, the "Helping Hounds" Volunteer Program was a great success. Please click here to view the newspaper article published in the April 6th edition of The Bourbon County Citizen.

Paris Alum Bill Arnsparger Honored

The family of PHS Alumnus and NFL Coach Bill Arnsparger assembled at Paris High School on Friday, March 25 where they were presented a copy of the Congressional Record Entry submitted by Congressman Andy Barr honoring Arnsparger's life. Paris alum Bill Alverson introduced Barr to begin the presentation. Those in attendance included Paris alumni, Paris administration, members of the PHS Class of '16 and local dignitaries. Click here for completed coverage of the event published in The Bourbon County Citizen.

Interested in Hosting Foreign Exchange Students?
Have you ever considered hosting a high school student from another country? Applications are now arriving for the 2016-17 school year for the Educational and Cultural Exchange Program (ECEP)! Please click on the links posted here for more information. ECEP Informational FlyerECEP Promotion